After the Earthquake: Battling AIDS in Haiti

From CDC National Prevention Information Network

April 12, 2010

A delegation from Haiti visited Washington recently to ask Congress for $100 million in additional funding to help the island nation recover from its Jan. 12 earthquake. The money is needed for HIV/AIDS health care services that were disrupted, said Esther Boucicault, the founder of the FEBS Foundation and a member of the delegation.

Advertisement

The quake left the FEBS Foundation's offices intact, so the organization can continue to provide prevention, psychosocial support, and case management services. However, the disaster destroyed 46 hospitals and clinics in Haiti and severely damaged 38 more, according to a joint report by the US State Department and the Agency for International Development. HIV/AIDS treatment centers were destroyed in Port-au-Prince, Jacmel, Leogane, and Petite Goave.

The quake displaced more than 1 million people, including an estimated half-million who were forced to seek refuge outside the capital. The foundation is struggling with an influx of new clients, said Boucicault, who also provides outreach to people living in tent cities.

"The HIV/AIDS epidemic is only going to get worse," Boucicault said. "This [earthquake] threatens to undermine the progress battling HIV/AIDS in Haiti."

The Body is a service of Remedy Health Media, LLC, 750 3rd Avenue, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10017. The Body and its logos are trademarks of Remedy Health Media, LLC, and its subsidiaries, which owns the copyright of The Body's homepage, topic pages, page designs and HTML code. General Disclaimer: The Body is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services. The information provided through The Body should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, consult your health care provider.